From time to time in various forums and classes, I am asked how male spa or massage professionals can be successful. While there are lots of ideas that apply to both sexes, such as promoting yourself whenever possible, following up on every lead and giving awesome customer service, there are a couple of things I suggest male service providers do to combat some of their professional difficulties.

Be the ultimate professional in all that you do.  From the uniform or clothes you wear to the activities you participate in after work, make certain there is nothing that would make you "questionable" in the clients' mind. Avoid any off-color jokes or humor or giving compliments about female clients or co-workers' appearance.

Be clear in your intentions and boundaries. Massage therapists are very specific about intention in terms of what they are trying to accomplish with their clients and business. If there is any kind of ulterior motive, such as "meeting women," in the mind of a male therapist, it will definitely affect their business. If you are not clear with your purpose or mission in your career, talk to a coach or mentor to help get focused. It can also be helpful to talk with a counselor about any emotional issues that need to be resolved.

While their are lots of variations on both of these ideas, I think they really sum up what is effective. If you have first-hand experience on the subject (meaning you are a male service provider or spa professional) and have other suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Email me at Felicia@spalutions.com or post them here on the blog.

If you've had issues or feel you need more education on boundaries or the ethical side of the spa business, you may want to check out one of my classes. Visit www.spalutions.com and go to the Classes section for a complete listing of what we offer